Latest news with #SpaceWeatherPredictionCenter
CNET
2 hours ago
- Science
- CNET
Aurora Borealis May Hit These 16 States Over the Next Two Days
Alongside fireworks and drone shows, people in select parts of the US will have another excuse to look up at the sky this week. The sun has graced Earth with another round of solar material, which will interact with our atmosphere and make sections of the sky glow. Of course, we're talking about the aurora borealis, and it'll be visible in 16 states on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Of the two days, Tuesday night into Wednesday morning will be your best shot. The Space Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a Kp 5 magnetic storm that's scheduled to hit over six hours starting late Monday evening. The K-Index measures the horizontal impact of geomagnetic storms, and a Kp 5 rating results in what NOAA calls a "moderate" aurora. Things will calm down a bit Wednesday night going into Thursday morning, with the aurora pulling back a bit and being less visible unless you're on the northern border with Canada. NOAA is forecasting a Kp 4 magnetic storm that night. NOAA predicts the northern lights reaching into the US on Tuesday and Wednesday. NOAA Which states could see the aurora borealis? Per the Space Weather Prediction Center, Tuesday night's aurora will be visible in Washington state, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the northernmost sections of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and most of Maine. Alaska and Canada will have the best views by a wide margin, with the entire state of Alaska getting coverage. Technically, there will also be a slice of Oregon, putting the full number at 16, but unless you live on the northeastern tip, you likely won't see anything. Much like Earth's weather, space weather prediction can be hit or miss. So, if you're in any of the above states, it's worth taking a look if you're up that late. It may be slightly stronger or weaker than forecasted, which will affect how far south the northern lights reach. It won't be as strong as the epic show we saw in May 2024. Tips on viewing the northern lights The standard space viewing tips all apply here. You'll get a better view if you get away from the city and suburbs to avoid light pollution. Weather will play a role as well, since clouds will obfuscate the view. If you attempt to photograph the aurora, we recommend using long exposure times to give your camera more time to soak in the light. Other than that, you'll want to look toward the northern horizon to give yourself the best chance at a good view since that's where the northern lights originate.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
15 states will see the northern lights tonight. Will Arizona be one of them?
Aurora chasers, get ready: The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are expected to make a dazzling appearance between Tuesday night, June 24, and Wednesday night, June 25, with peak viewing hours typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, people in more than a dozen states will be able to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center expects the Kp index — an indicator of how visible the northern lights will be — to hit 5.67, strong enough to expand the auroral oval farther south than usual. Here is everything to know about the northern lights this week, including whether they will be visible in Arizona. The northern lights will actually be visible in 15 states tonight: Alaska. Washington. Idaho. Montana. Wyoming. North Dakota. South Dakota. Iowa. Minnesota. Wisconsin. Michigan. New York. Vermont. New Hampshire. Maine. The northern lights will not be seen in Arizona tonight; the state is too far south. While rare solar storms have very occasionally pushed the lights as far south as Colorado or northern Texas, Arizona skies generally miss out on the glow. The best time to view the northern lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time June 24-25. The northern lights are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth's atmosphere. When the sun releases a burst of energy, known as a solar wind or coronal mass ejection, these particles travel through space and interact with Earth's magnetic field, according to The northern lights are typically seen in the auroral zone, a ring-shaped region around the Earth's magnetic North Pole. Prime viewing spots include: Alaska. Northern Canada. Iceland. Norway. Sweden. Finland. Northern Russia. To check if the northern lights will be visible, look for aurora forecasts that monitor solar activity and geomagnetic storms, which are the two main factors behind the aurora borealis. Several websites and apps provide real-time updates and predictions, including: NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. University of Alaska Fairbanks Aurora Forecast. These tools typically show a Kp index, a scale from 0 to 9 that measures geomagnetic activity. A higher number means better chances of seeing the lights, especially at lower latitudes. If you're not in the auroral zone, you'll need a Kp of 7 or higher to have a chance. The northern lights can last a few minutes to several hours. There's no guaranteed timeframe, and they can appear at any time during the night. In the U.S., you'll want to look toward the northern horizon. The aurora usually starts low on the horizon and, during stronger storms, can stretch overhead, but your best bet is facing north. Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Follow @tiffsario on Instagram. Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Northern lights forecast: Where and when to see them tonight
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued with Northern Lights possible from New York to Washington state
NEW YORK – While the ground may feel like it's on fire as a heat dome continues to scorch the U.S. this week, the sky could resemble dancing flames Wednesday night and early Thursday as charged particles from the Sun are barreling toward our planet, creating the chance to see the Northern Lights. Forecasters with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) have been monitoring a feature on the Sun known as a coronal hole – areas on the surface of the Sun with cooler, less dense plasma. These dark areas on the Sun, as seen in satellite images, can produce space weather events known as coronal hole high-speed streams (CH HSS), which can trigger Northern Lights on Earth. Due to the recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS influence, NOAA space weather forecasts are predicting minor (G1) to moderate (G2) geomagnetic storming between Wednesday and Thursday, based on NOAA's five-level scale. A Geomagnetic Storm Watch is in place through Thursday. What Causes The Northern Lights? Under these conditions, the Aurora Borealis may be seen across the northern tier of the U.S. and the Upper Midwest, in areas as far south as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state. If you're within the Northern Lights viewing area on late Wednesday or early Thursday, a dark sky will help your chances of seeing the bright dancing lights in the sky. Move away from city lights or turn off artificial light sources outside and look north. Even if you can't see the lights with the naked eye, use your smartphone's night mode, and you might be surprised by what you see. During severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storms, the lights could be seen as far south as the Gulf article source: Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued with Northern Lights possible from New York to Washington state
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is PA among 15 states that could see the aurora borealis tonight? See northern lights map
Alaska and states near the Canadian border will have a likely chance of seeing the northern lights Wednesday, June 25. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible in as many as 15 northern states Wednesday night, June 25, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Most of Canada will also have a chance to see the lights. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania skywatchers, the northern lights are not expected to be visible. Neighboring New York state is the closest to Pennsylvania with a chance to see the light show. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center tracks auroras using the Kp-index, a global auroral activity. The index's 0-9 scale measures fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field in specific geographic locations. It predicts minor to moderate geomagnetic storms on the sun's surface, which can cause a disturbance in the Earth's atmosphere. NOAA forecasts several states in the northern United States will have the best views. If the weather is clear, many in the northern states should be able to see the sky show. Among the states, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center: Alaska, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. More: Multiple states could see northern lights this week. See map. The Kp index is expected to peak at 5 during the week, according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. See NOAA's three-day forecast for the most recent timing breakdown. We're protected from the solar winds − the streams of charged particles released by the sun's corona, or outermost atmospheric layer − by the invisible barrier created by the Earth's magnetic field. Stronger solar winds can disturb the field. Vivid auroras are produced then the charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere and the planet's magnetic field. The light display can be visible over Europe and the United States during large auroral events. According to the University of Alaska, during a major event in 1958, the aurora could be seen from Mexico City. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, and USA TODAY research This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aurora borealis possibly visible to 15 northern states on June 25
NDTV
6 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Northern Lights To Delight Starwatchers In These 14 US States
A treat for stargazers in the United States, as the Northern Lights might be visible in at least 14 states on Wednesday night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA) predicted. The Northern Lights, known as the Aurora Borealis, are a breathtaking natural phenomenon in which the night sky gets illuminated with beautiful colours. Although NOAA's prediction doesn't confirm the sighting, there's still a chance for people to witness the Aurora Borealis in states from Washington to Maine. Here are the states where the Northern Lights might be visible: Alaska Washington Oregon Idaho Montana Wyoming South Dakota Iowa Wisconsin Michigan New York Vermont New Hampshire and Maine The phenomenon of Northern Lights occurs due to the solar wind when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. It also happens because of the energy transfer when the energy from the solar wind excites the atoms and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to emit light. The Northern Lights can display a range of colours, including green, blue, red and purple. The colour depends on the energy of the particles and the altitude of the collision. The lights can appear as swirling curtains, rays, or coronas, often moving and dancing across the sky. As per the Space Weather Prediction Center, "The aurora is not visible during daylight hours. The aurora does not need to be directly overhead but can be observed from as much as 1000 km away when the aurora is bright and if conditions are right." Here are three tips to view the Northern Lights Find locations with minimal light pollution for the best views; dark spots are the best. Check forecasts for solar activity and geomagnetic storms, which can increase the likelihood of Northern Lights sightings. The Northern Lights are typically most active from midnight to 3:00 am. Mike Bettwy, operations chief at Space Weather Prediction Center, previously told Newsweek, "General tips include viewing late at night, away from city lights, and taking pictures with your iPhone or other technology since the aurora may be visible on those devices even though the human eye may not always detect it."
